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Utah

Hiking Bryce and Zion National Parks

Program No. 7735RJ
Nothing says Utah like rock spires and hoodoos. Come learn about these geological wonders from experts as you hike the stunning landscapes of Bryce and Zion National Parks.
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National ParksWalking/HikingOutdoor AdventuresSmall GroupBest ValueNature & Environment
Length
7 days
Rating (4.97)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,799

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
16 meals ( 6B, 5L, 5D )
2 expert-led lectures
10 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration. After you have your room assignment, come to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and get your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, other important information, and to confirm when and where the Orientation session will take place. If you arrive late, please ask for your packet when you check in.
Dinner:
At hotel enjoy a delicious banquet dinner featuring a buffet, plus coffee, tea, water.
Evening:
Orientation. After dinner the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Please remember to bring your National Park Pass, hiking poles if you have them, sturdy walking shoes, a small backpack, sun protection and a refillable water bottle. Transportation will be provided primarily by motorcoach, unless otherwise specified. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach for short 15 minute drive to Snow Canyon State Park. Hiking 2 – 4 miles on unpaved trails, depending on walks chosen, time and weather. Elevations range from 2,500 feet in the city to 4,500 feet at Snow Canyon.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, breakfast buffet includes eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, juice, coffee, and tea.
Morning:
In our meeting room at the hotel, our instructor will present a lecture on the geology, ecology, flora, and fauna of Southern Utah. We’ll gain a greater understanding of the incredible formations we will hike through and explore during the week. While we’ll continue to have trailside talks during field trips, this class will set the stage for our remaining outings. We will transfer by motorcoach for a 15-minute ride to Snow Canyon State Park. Enjoy hiking through sandstone formations of red and white rock cliffs, rolling mounds of petrified sand dunes, and basalt rock formations.
Lunch:
Along the trail we will enjoy a boxed lunch that includes a sandwich, chips, cookie and fruit. Water will be provided.
Afternoon:
We will continue our walking field trip through the unique geologic features of Snow Canyon State Park.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a variety of menu and beverage choices from the extensive buffet. Coffee, tea, water, and soft drinks included.
Evening:
Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Drive from St George to Zion is 45 miles taking about 1 hour. Lower Emerald Pools is a 1.2 mile round trip on groomed trail with 70 foot elevation change. Middle Emerald Pools is a 2 mile round trip on groomed trail with 150 foot elevation change. Riverside trail is a 2 mile round trip on a paved trail, mostly flat. Additional hiking up the Narrows in the Virgin River if weather conditions permit. Water shoes recommended.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, breakfast buffet includes eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, juice, coffee, and tea.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel and travel to Zion National Park by motorcoach. From Zion Lodge we'll hike to Middle and Lower Emerald Pools with our Group Leader to view waterfalls cascading over sandstone cliffs to shallow green pools.
Lunch:
Returning to Zion Lodge, we’ll have a box lunch on the lawn that includes a sandwich, chips, cookie and fruit.
Afternoon:
We’ll transfer to the park shuttle system to reach the Temple of Sinawava, a natural amphitheater and one of the park’s most popular destinations. It is the trailhead for the Riverside Walk and the beginning of the picturesque Zion Narrows. This is a fairly level paved trail that follows the course of the Virgin River deep into the heart of Zion Canyon. With views of spring lines that provide water for lush hanging gardens that cling to the desert varnish coated cliff walls, it is sure to quickly become a trip favorite. Weather permitting, we may be able to hike a portion of the Narrows trail in ankle-to-waist-deep water, depending on weather and water flow rates. Be sure to bring a pair of water shoes or sturdy sandals just in case. We’ll then return to the lodge to take the motorcoach to our hotel in Springdale, located just outside the gates to Zion National Park.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal that includes coffee, tea, and water. Other beverages are available for purchase.
Evening:
We’ll be joined in the hotel meeting room by a federally licensed eagle falconer for a presentation on birds of prey and see a live falcon, hawk and golden eagle.
Activity Note
Getting on/off motorcoach for short 15 minute drive to trailhead. Scout Lookout is a 4 mile round trip hike on paved or groomed trails with a 1,100 foot elevation change.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, the breakfast buffet includes choices such as scrambled eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, cereal, bacon, sausage, breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit, yogurt, assorted baked goods, milk, juice, coffee, assorted teas and water.
Morning:
We’ll transfer by motorcoach to Zion National Park, transfer to the park shuttle system, and set out to explore Zion's Scouts Lookout. Starting at the Grotto trailhead, today's hike takes us up and out of the west side of the main canyon to Scout's Lookout. From here enjoy incredible views of the Canyon.
Lunch:
On the trail, we’ll have box lunches that includes a sandwich, chips, cookie and fruit.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue hiking and exploring Zion, returning to the hotel late afternoon.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There’s a variety of small and distinctive restaurants to choose from.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Driving 75 miles, about 1.5 hours. Peekaboo Loop trail is a 5.3 mile round trip on groomed trail with 1,000 foot elevation change. Rim trail from Bryce Point to Sunset Point is a 2 mile one way trip on groomed trail with a 300 foot elevation drop.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, we will enjoy a buffet which includes fresh fruit, yogurt, assorted baked goods, cereal, pancakes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, bacon, sausage, breakfast potatoes, coffee, assorted teas, water, juice and milk.
Morning:
We will travel to Bryce Canyon National Park for a full-day field trip, starting with the Peekaboo Loop Trail. We’ll begin at Bryce Point, one of the best vistas in the park, zigzagging down the rim 1,000 feet into the canyon. Here we’ll weave through a brilliant collection of hoodoos, fins and spires in the main Bryce Canyon amphitheater. For those who prefer a less strenuous route, the 2 mile Rim Trail also offers great views of the Bryce Canyon amphitheater.
Lunch:
On the trail, we’ll have box lunches that includes a sandwich, cookies, chips and fruit.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue exploring Bryce Canyon then stop at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center to view the award-winning park video, visit the natural history museum, and learn about the amazing night sky at Bryce. Later, we’ll proceed to our hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have a Western-themed buffet with main dishes, side dishes, dessert, and beverage choices of lemonade, coffee, teas, and water.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
Drive from hotel to Bryce Canyon trailhead is 4 miles, 15 minutes. Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail is a 3.5 mile hike with an elevation change of 520 feet. Driving from Bryce Canyon to St. George hotel is 145 miles, about 2.5 hours.
Breakfast:
Breakfast buffet at the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out, we’ll set out for our final hike in Bryce Canyon: Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. This hike is absolutely the best way to see the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. It's listed as one of the top 10 hikes in the U.S. by National Geographic.
Lunch:
On the trail, we’ll have box lunches that include a sandwich, chips, cookie and fruit.
Afternoon:
We’ll wrap up our adventures at Bryce and travel by motorcoach to St. George.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant we will enjoy a plated meal that includes entree, salad, and dessert. Iced tea, coffee and water are provided. Other beverages are available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, breakfast buffet includes eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, juice, coffee, and tea. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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